Bau Seeks Divine Help to Cleanse Chiefly Island of Evil Influence and Bring Unity, Peace, Stability, Progress
Bau has started one month of fasting and prayers to cleanse the chiefly island of evil influence and help its people to unite for the common good.
Its chiefs and leaders are seeking divine intervention to help their people accomplish their goals in life whether it’s education, employment, sports or other vocations in life.
The programme was set before the new row over the Vunivalu title broke out.
The row will now be included in the fasting and prayer vigil to seek unity and a peaceful resolution to the dispute which started in 2018. Ratu Epenisa Cakobau whose planned installation as Vunivalu was aborted in 2018 after complaints were lodged with the iTaukei Lands and Fisheries Commission. One of the complainants was Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, the Speaker of Parliament.
Ratu Epeli has resurrected the issue after he went public and said Ratu Epenisa had not been installed as Vunivalu.
He was responding to a media report that quoted Ratu Epenisa as saying he was the head of the Kubuna Confederacy. The head is the Vunivalu, but the title is still vacant. That’s a fact and Ratu Epeli was right. But he was wrong because he used the wrong forum, compromising the impartiality and integrity of the Office of the Speaker, which must be seen to be apolitical. The proper forum would be the traditional mechanism where the issue could be discussed privately to protect both the Speaker’s Office and the dignity and respect of the chiefly system. The traditional and political fallout from this row could be huge. While the fasting and prayer vigil is a coincidence, the Bau people are hoping that the spirit of Easter will carry them through April and that their chiefs will mellow and come together to iron out their differences.
Ro Teimumu’s comments
Concern has been raised over the incorrect, untimely and insensitive comments by Ro Teimumu Kepa that Ratu Epenisa is head of Kubuna. It is public knowledge that he has not been installed, so she is only complicating matters and is doing it for political reasons to get back on the good books of Ratu Epenisa. She was equally culpable as the opposing conservative right wingers in SODELPA’s parliamentary caucus when she urged her moderate allies to support Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu as Opposition leader for the sake of party unity. Ratu Epenisa had directed caucus to vote for party leader Viliame Gavoka as the logical choice.
Her conduct in that meeting got members talking about her loyalty to Ratu Epenisa.
Those close to Ratu Epenisa say he has moved on from that incident although there is unfinished business with the Speaker on Ratu Naiqama’s appointment.
With the fasting and prayer vigil, Ratu Epenisa seems to be at peace, they say.
In the past few days, he was involved in the symbolic washing of feet that was performed by Jesus Christ on the 12 apostles in that famous Last Supper more than 2000 years ago. It was a symbol of humility and service. At the end of this month, we would probably see a more rejuvenated Ratu Epenisa ready to continue to clean up SODELPA from old style politics and noncompliance of good governance principles.